Abstract
New Metering Technologies Upset Pricing Equilibrium and Drive Technology
Advances
Changing end-user needs are spurring relentless product innovation within the
utility meter industry. The high revenue opportunities are further intensifying
the need for technological advances. Integrating communication modules is likely
to be the main area of innovation. Emerging competitors have already upset the
pricing equilibrium that established metering companies have enjoyed for
decades. Solid-state power meters with communications modules have become
competitive with electromechanical meters that have add-on communications
modules. End users are looking for the lowest priced communication-enabled
solid-state meters with high reliability and functionality.
This Frost & Sullivan research service analyzes the North American
markets for utility meters. The study offers key market drivers and restraints,
in-depth market analysis, competitive analysis, and strategies employed by
participants in the water, gas, and electric meter sectors.
Residential Construction Propels Sales in All Meter Markets
New apartment buildings, home construction, and the emergence of manufactured
homes in North America are major drivers in the meter markets. The brisk pace of
construction in the residential sector can be attributed to economic expansion,
relatively low interest rates, and a housing shortage.
"Demand for residential water, gas, and electric meters in the
Southwest, Mountain, and Mid-West regions of the country, along with the
aggressive penetration of advanced power meters into the commercial and
industrial markets, is exerting a strong upward pressure on total utility meter
market revenues," says the analyst of the research.
Uncertain Success of Novel Technologies Steers Start-up Companies to
Assume Risks
While the high-risk nature of the newer metering technologies makes large
volume deployments an operational and financial uncertainty for utilities,
innumerable vendor start-ups are investing large sums on finding the next
'killer' metering/distribution application, in the hope that utility end users
are also looking to profit from the same.
Growing awareness of the advantages of automated meter reading (AMR) programs
is encouraging utilities to deploy AMR modules on new meters. Besides increasing
demand, this could imply better average revenues per meter since AMR-compatible
meters cost more. In addition, solid-state meters are expected to gradually take
over the market share of electromechanical meter lines.
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